Healthy Mix of Collegiate Swimmers and Recruits Spotlighted on Day Two in Buffalo

Speedo Champions Series editorial coverage this summer is proudly sponsored by SpeedoUSA. For all the latest coverage from sectionals this summer, check out our Summer of Speedo page.

By Erin Quinn

BUFFALO, New York, August 2. WHILE the USA World Championship Team was sleeping after collecting numerous gold medals in Barcelona today, things were heating up at the 2013 Speedo Champions Series stop in Buffalo during day two.

A strong representation of collegiate swimmers mixed in with age-group club swimmers and college recruiters in the stands, helped to create an exciting finals atmosphere with the women’s 200 freestyle going to 18 year old Camryne Morris, from Chelsea Piers Aquatics, CT, in a time of 2:01.47, two seconds faster than her prelim time. Brittney Kuras claimed second in 2:05.03, while Julianne Koch picked up third in 2:05.73.

It was a tight race between North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC) swimmer John Stephens, 20, and Penn State Nittany Lion’s Seth Wensel with Stephens claiming the title at the wall with a 1:54.14 in the men’s 200-meter free. Wensel earned a silver with a 1:54.52 and 16 year old Justin Plaschka of Team Suffolk, NY took third with a 1:55.52.

Margaret Gruber, 17 of FCKW-AM had a personal best and a first-place finish in the women’s 100-meter fly with a 1:01.60. Mackenzie Hornibrook, 18, was second with a personal best of 1:02.78. She said that she’d love to swim for Florida State University of University of Southern California. “Any place that’s warm and has a great academic and swim program!” she said. Anna Wisniewski, meanwhile, took third in 1:03.62.

Penn State’s Shane Austin switched gear from his typical NCAA 1650 and 200 free races and ended up destroying the 100-meter fly in finals with a 54:95.

“I never really trained the butterfly until recently and maybe it will replace my 200 free,” he said with a shrug. “I’m happy. We (Penn State Nittany Lions) come here because it’s a close, fast meet towards the end of summer. It’s great.”

Ryan Dudzinski, 17 of USCS-AM was second with a 55:98 ad Kyle Higgins, 18 of MLAC-AM third with a 56:30.

In the spirit of Katie Ledecky with three gold medals so far at World Championships in Barcelona, the 400 IM’s were dominated by 16 year olds! Megan Brown won by nearly 10 seconds with a 4:53.60, while Morris took second in 5:02.79. Julie Harrison picked up third in 5:03.20.

Tyler Prescott of FINS took home the men’s 400-meter IM title in 4:34.92, while William Patrum (4:36.42) and William Clendenin (4:36.43) placed second and third.